Connecting Communities
We want everyone in Scotland to have the opportunity to cycle, walk or wheel to get around. Getting active is great for physical and mental health and puts a smile on people’s faces. We know that communities throughout Scotland have their own unique circumstances which requires a tailored and bespoke approach.
Connecting Communities works with adults of all backgrounds and abilities in backgrounds and abilities in Caithness , Shetland, Moray, East Sutherland, East Lothian, Aberdeenshire, Dunoon, Inverclyde, Helensburgh, Dumfries & Galloway.
Update
We regret to share that due to external funding not being renewed, Cycling UK’s Connecting Communities programme will come to an end in six locations across Scotland on 31 March. This decision affects projects in Inverclyde, Dunoon, Helensburgh, Dumfries & Galloway, East Sutherland, and Caithness.
These projects have played a vital role in helping people gain confidence in cycling, access free bike maintenance, and participate in social rides and walking activities. While we share the disappointment of the communities affected, we are incredibly grateful to our staff, volunteers, participants, and partner organisations who made these projects a success.
We remain fully committed to promoting active travel across Scotland and will continue working to create more opportunities for cycling, walking and wheeling.
In Dunoon, many of the services previously offered by the Bothy will continue under HITRANS and Dunoon Community Development Trust, though Cycling UK will no longer be involved in this work, and the Connecting Communities programme itself will not continue.
Our development officers are embedded in local communities, using their expertise and local knowledge to work closely with community organisations, local businesses, public sector agencies and individuals.
We offer:
- A wide range of cycling and walking activities for all abilities
- Short and long-term cycle loans to help people find a cycle that works for them
- Support for local organisations to coordinate and add walking, wheeling and cycling opportunities to their existing activities
- Upskilling of volunteers to deliver activities in their communities and keep cycles working if there is no local bike shop
- Localised networks of organisations, communities and individuals supporting walking and cycling initiatives
Watch how Sian's life was transformed by getting a trike
Volunteering opportunities
You can help and support us to achieve our aims by volunteering with Connecting Communities. All of our volunteering roles are advertised online.
Roles available include;
- Health Walk Leader – lead a health walk.
- Cycle Ride Leader – lead a group ride.
- Learn to Ride Volunteer - Help children or adults to learn to ride or increase cycle skills in group sessions.
- Buddy ride volunteer – support people cycle for those everyday journeys by showing them their route, practice safety and positioning and offer general route and riding advice.
- Tandem Cycle Pilot - Ride as a front rider on a tandem bike for blind or partially sighted people and provide support and guidance on and of the bike during a ride.
- Bike Maintenance volunteer - Fixe bikes, work within their qualifications/experience.
